If agricultural research and innovation are to deliver acceptable levels of food and nutrition security to poor communities at a global scale, a rethink is needed of how current approaches to research-for-development are planned and executed. Obstacles lie in three factors: · Today’s vertical and supply driven focus – by many research leaders and development agencies. · The current short-term and project focus to funding agricultural research and development. · A need for practical policy options, that help countries respond to the realities they face.